Microplastics can affect biophysical properties of the soil. However, little is known about the cascade of events in fundamental levels of terrestrial ecosystems, i.e., starting with the changes in soil abiotic properties and propagating across the various components of soil-plant interactions, including soil microbial communities and plant traits. We investigated here the effects of six different microplastics (polyester fibers, polyamide beads, and four fragment types: polyethylene, polyester terephthalate, polypropylene, and polystyrene) on a broad suite of proxies for soil health and performance of spring onion ( Allium fistulosum). Significant changes were observed in plant biomass, tissue elemental composition, root traits, and soil microbial activities. These plant and soil responses to microplastic exposure were used to propose a causal model for the mechanism of the effects. Impacts were dependent on particle type, i.e., microplastics with a shape similar to other natural soil particles elicited smaller differences from control. Changes in soil structure and water dynamics may explain the observed results in which polyester fibers and polyamide beads triggered the most pronounced impacts on plant traits and function. The findings reported here imply that the pervasive microplastic contamination in soil may have consequences for plant performance and thus for agroecosystems and terrestrial biodiversity.

Microplastics Can Change Soil Properties and Affect Plant Performance

Source, migration and toxicology of microplastics in soil.

Research shifts from ecotoxicology to ecosystem effects and Earth system feedbacks Concern about microplastics (plastic particles <5 mm) polluting different environmental compartments is mounting. Research has recently begun to embrace terrestrial systems, having initially focused at least a decade earlier on marine and aquatic ecosystems (1–3). The early research agenda on microplastics in both aquatic and terrestrial systems was mainly ecotoxicological. It included laboratory tests on individual organisms, often well-established test species (4), and also targeted selected soil properties and processes. Such research is necessary to establish baseline mechanisms, which is important because microplastics differ from other pollutants. Many of their effects appear to be mediated by physical parameters, such as particle shape and size, rather than overt chemically mediated toxicity. Moreover, their effects are mostly sublethal or even nominally positive. Although the study of other global change factors has tended to focus at the level of the ecosystem, research on microplastic is only now on the verge of this wider view.

Microplastic in terrestrial ecosystems

Microplastic effects in terrestrial ecosystems have recently moved into focus, after about a decade of research being limited to aquatic systems. While effects on soil physical properties and soil biota are starting to become apparent, there is not much information on the consequences for plant performance. We here propose and discuss mechanistic pathways through which microplastics could impact plant growth, either positively or negatively. These effects will vary as a function of plant species, and plastic type, and thus are likely to translate to changes in plant community composition and perhaps primary production. Our mechanistic framework serves to guide ongoing and future research on this important topic.

https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/nph.15794

Microplastic effects on plants.

LDPE microplastic films alter microbial community composition and enzymatic activities in soil.

Effects of plastic contamination on water evaporation and desiccation cracking in soil

Modified calcium bentonite (Ca-bentonite) is extensively used in engineered barrier systems (EBSs) for municipal and industrial disposal sites due to its high swelling potential and low hydraulic conductivity. However, few studies have focused on the micromechanism of hydration and swelling under the effect of inorganic chemical solution. In this study, free swell index (FSI) and the type and content of modified Ca-bentonite bound water under the inorganic chemical solution were quantitatively studied by using the free swell test and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). According to the results, modification of sodium and polymer significantly increases the FSI of Ca-bentonite, bringing it close to that of natural sodium bentonite. In addition, the chemical stability of polymer-modified bentonite is significantly higher than that of sodium-modified bentonite but less than that of natural Na-bentonite. The FSI of modified Ca-bentonite decreases with the increase of cation valence and ionic strength. distribution curves of the two types of modified bentonite are three-peak curves. With the increase of ionic strength, the content of total water and permeated hydrated water (accounting for 69%–95%) in bentonite decreases gradually, whereas the surface hydration water (accounting for 2%–31%) and free water content (accounting for 0–15%) increase. A uniform linear relationship exists between the FSI and corresponding total peak area of NMR (independent of ion valence, concentration, and bentonite type). Furthermore, a linear relationship exists between the FSI of the same type of bentonite and the relaxation time. Research results can provide data and theoretical basis for quantitative analysis and mechanism of the hydration swelling of bentonite.

/pdf/studies-on-hydration-swelling-and-bound-water-type-of-sodium-3lptwkqyhd.pdf

Studies on Hydration Swelling and Bound Water Type of Sodium- and Polymer-Modified Calcium Bentonite

Coupling model of aerobic waste degradation considering temperature, initial moisture content and air injection volume.

The invention relates to a geomembrane stretching permeability test device, which comprises a frame type bracket, a first loading component, a first permeability plate, a first permeable stone, a first pressure volume controller, a geomembrane fixture, a second loading component, a second permeability plate, a second permeable stone and a second pressure volume controller, wherein the first loading component is arranged on the top of the frame type bracket; the first permeability plate is fixed on the output end of the first loading component; the first permeable stone is fixed in a first groove; the first pressure volume controller is communicated with a first guiding and discharging hole through a first conduit; the geomembrane fixture is arranged in the middle of the frame type bracketand is positioned below the first permeable stone; the second loading component is arranged on the bottom of the frame type bracket; the second permeability plate is fixed on the output end of the second loading component; the second permeable stone is fixed in a second groove; the second pressure volume controller is communicated with a second guiding and discharging hole through a second conduit. According to the geomembrane stretching permeability test device, the permeability coefficient of the geomembrane in a stretching process can be continuously measured.

Geomembrane stretching permeability test device

The utility model relates to a tensile permeability test device of geomembrane, include: frame type support, first load parts, a penetration plate, first permeable stone, first pressure volume controlware, geotechnological film fixture, second load parts, the 2nd penetration plate, second permeable stone, second pressure volume control ware, first loading part sets up the top at frame type support, a penetration plate fixes the output at first load parts, first permeable stone is fixed in first recess, first pressure volume control ware is through first pipe and drainage guide hole intercommunication, geotechnique film fixture sets up at the middle part of frame type support, is located first permeable stone below. Second loading part sets up the bottom at frame type support, the 2nd penetration plate fixes the output at second load parts, the second permeable stone is fixed in the second recess, second pressure volume control ware passes through second pipe and the 2nd drainage guidehole intercommunication. This tensile permeability test device of geomembrane can measure the osmotic coefficient of geomembrane at tensile in -process in succession.

Tensile permeability test device of geomembrane

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